The Sox aggressively sought pitching in the draft this year, with first-rounder Kyson Witherspoon seen with a chance to move quickly and subsequent picks Marcus Phillips and Anthony Eyanson with high upside.
Here’s a pitcher-by-pitcher breakdown of how the season unfolded for the Red Sox’ top pitching prospects, organized by their Baseball America rankings entering the year:
No. 5, Luis Perales, 22 years old, RHP
Current rank: 8
Double A/Triple A (2â…“ IP): 7.71 ERA, 44% K rate, 33% BB rate
The good: Perales added considerable strength while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. In his brief return to games at the end of the season, he showed a triple-digits fastball as well as a full array of secondary pitches.
The bad: Had Perales moved just a few weeks faster through his rehab, he might have been an option in the big leagues down the stretch.
Area to improve: Perales just needs to get back on the mound as a starter and pitch in 2026.
No. 7, David Sandlin, 24, RHP
Current rank: 11
Double A/Triple A (106 IP): 4.50 ERA, 23% K rate, 9% BB rate
The good: Sandlin had a healthy season for the first time, and made major strides in the quality of his execution while in Double A in the first half, showing a better understanding of his mix (how to use a high-90s fastball that nonetheless gets hit hard) and an improved ability to work to locations. The addition of a cutter also improved his ability to work in the zone.
The bad: Sandlin, viewed as a potential September bullpen addition, instead got shelled in the Triple A Worcester bullpen, allowing 21 runs in 18â…” innings.
Area to improve: Command is everything for Sandlin, who has the pitch mix to be a late-innings reliever or back-end starter.
No. 10, Connelly Early, 23, LHP
Current rank: 6
Double A/Triple A (100â…“ IP): 2.60 ERA, 32% K rate, 10% BB rate; MLB (14â…“ IP): 1.88 ERA, 37% K rate, 5% BB rate
The good: Early, who averaged 90 miles per hour with his heater as a junior in college, continued to gain strength, sitting at 93-94 this year and topping out in his debut at 97. He also developed a sinker to vary the looks on his fastball, while showing a diverse repertoire that he commanded well.
The bad: Early’s focus on avoiding damage sometimes fed into a high walk rate, particularly in Double A, though he has proven capable of attacking the zone in the big leagues.
Area to improve: If Early, viewed entering the year as a back-end starter, can keep adding strength and control his walk rate, he can push his ceiling to a mid-rotation starter.
No. 11, Hunter Dobbins, 26, RHP
Current rank: Graduated
Double A/Triple A (17â…“ IP): 5.09 ERA, 21% K rate, 9% BB rate; MLB (61 IP): 4.13 ERA, 18% K rate, 7% BB rate
The good: Dobbins came up and helped stabilize the rotation amid a rash of early-season injuries, showing impressive poise and command.
The bad: Dobbins blew out his ACL in July, resulting in season-ending surgery that may limit his ability at the start of next year.
Area to improve: Dobbins needs to get healthy.
No. 12, Richard Fitts, 25, RHP
Current rank: Graduated
MLB (45 IP): 5.00 ERA, 21% K rate, 9% BB rate
The good: Fitts showed improved velocity and the development of a curveball to win a fifth-starter spot at the beginning of the year. At times, he showed a needed uptick in his swing-and-miss rate.
The bad: Fitts was vulnerable to hard contact (11 home runs) and endured a pair of injuries that sidelined him for the majority of the year.
Area to improve: Health and missing barrels.
No. 15, Juan Valera, 19, RHP
Current rank: 9
High-A (38 IP): 5.45 ERA, 28% K rate, 6% BB rate
The good: Don’t be too distracted by the ERA in a hitter-friendly league for one of the youngest pitchers in the Sally League. The Sox pushed Valera aggressively to Greenville, and he showed a triple-digits fastball, swing-and-miss changeup, and made progress on a sweeper and sinker. He showed the raw materials of a mid-rotation or late-innings arm.
The bad: Valera missed most of the year with forearm inflammation, and his four-seamer was vulnerable to hard contact, explaining the need to add a sinker.
Area to improve: Valera needs more experience to help him refine his pitch shapes.
No. 16, Payton Tolle, 22, LHP
Current rank: 2
High-A/Double A/Triple A (91â…” IP): 3.04 ERA, 37% K rate, 6% BB rate; MLB (15â…“ IP): 6.46 ERA, 25% K rate, 11% BB rate
The good: Tolle’s velocity took a massive jump in his first full pro season, and he improved his repertoire with the addition of a cutter, getting more consistent shape to his slider, and making progress on a changeup. He dominated three levels of the minors to become the first Red Sox starter to reach the big leagues in his first full pro season since 2004.
The bad: After an electrifying big league debut, Tolle struggled. His lack of reliable secondary pitches made him vulnerable.
Area to improve: Tolle’s focus will be fastball command inside the zone and more consistent feel for his secondary pitches.
No. 17, Yordanny Monegro, 22, RHP
Current rank: 30
Double A (33â…” IP): 2.67 ERA, 36% K rate, 6% BB rate
The good: Monegro made major strides in his between-starts work and repertoire, where the addition of a cutter allowed him to better compete in the strike zone. He had one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors when he tore his UCL.
The bad: Monegro required Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for most or all of 2026.
Area to improve: Getting healthy over a long rehab.
Unranked, Brandon Clarke, 22, LHP
Current rank: 7
Low-A/High-A (38 IP): 4.03 ERA, 34% K rate, 16% BB rate
The good: Clarke overpowered hitters at the beginning of the year with a triple-digits four-seamer/sinker combination and a devastating sweeper.
The bad: Clarke was limited to 38 innings with a blister issue. His hold on the strike zone was erratic.
Area to improve: If Clarke can compete in the strike zone with his sinker, he can be an impact reliever or potential starter.
Other pitchers who made significant strides in 2025: LHP Shane Drohan (26 years old, High-A and Triple A); RHP Tyler Uberstine (26 years old, Double A and Triple A); RHP Yhoiker Fajardo (18 years old, FCL and Low-A); RHP Jesus Travieso (18 years old, FCL and Low-A).